![]() ![]() Acclimating Plants to the Coldįrom planting time all the way through winter, your plants will need to be able to acclimate to cooler temperatures and temperature cycles to prevent shock and necrosis. From QuickHoops™ and wire wickets to cables and metal suspension frames, various components can be deployed to support row cover and make the daily process of removal for heat and humidity regulation more efficient. With others, some form of supportive structure is required, especially if multiple layers or heavier fabrics are used. With some crops, the row cover can be laid directly on top of the crop. Other growers leave the crop covered at night and remove it on warmer days when the tunnel's internal temperature has risen sufficiently, a practice which results in increased solar gain and ventilates excess moisture that can encourage diseases common to winter tunnels, such as downy mildews of spinach and lettuce. ![]() Lighterweight covers are sometimes left in place all the time. Row cover in a variety of weights and fabrics can be used in a multitude of configurations that differ between regions, farms, and microclimates. To achieve sufficient crop protection at higher latitudes, a well-proven strategy is to place one or more layers of row cover over the crops inside the tunnel in colder months. There are numerous forums, learning events, online resources, grant programs, and other initiatives available through these and other entities. To learn more, get connected with your local cooperative extension service, educational institutions, and regional grower organizations. Cobden, Illinois The Protective Structureįundamental structural principals of high tunnel design need to be observed to build a tunnel that will survive snow load, capture optimal sunlight, and allow for regulating heat and humidity when necessary.“ Remember: in winter, high tunnels are your most expensive real estate, and you should consider all the costs vs. Also, heat management is more difficult by nature… We think, ' Well, it's cold outside I won't go check the tunnels until 8 or so.' Then you realize the sun has been out for a couple of hours and the temp inside has gone from 25 to 75 and rising - and that is not what greens and lettuces like! “ Also important is having lots of organic matter in the soil, which leaves more air pockets in the soil, versus a solid block of frozen soil…. “ Plants in high tunnels need air in winter, just as they do in summer… Fungus and/or aphid problems can develop if you do not provide good air circulation and venting of the high tunnel during the day. It is easy to overwater or underwater in the winter, so some of Johnny's tools like the moisture meter are important…. Another one is that watering is a big challenge. “ An important point is selecting correct varieties for winter growing. That way we make best use of our total space, reserving the most expensive real estate for when it is absolutely necessary…. “ We try to transition into winter here … we use low tunnels for some crops into the fall, then go into high tunnels as the weather turns. ![]()
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